Winter Wildife Snowshoe Walk set for Saturday, Feb 27

On Saturday morning February 27, Moose Mountains Regional Greenways and Branch Hill Farm will offer a free snowshoe walk led by Rich Cook of the NH Fish and Game Department and wildlife expert Charlie Bridges. The destination is the old fish hatchery site along the scenic Jones Brook that flows through Branch Hill Farm forest lands off Piggott Hill Road in Milton. En route, trip leaders will point out signs of winter wildlife, talk about winter habitat conditions and suggest ways to manage woodlots to benefit wildlife.As a land agent at the NH Fish and Game Department, Rich Cook focuses on the acquisition of lands that preserve valuable wildlife habitats and provide public access to them. Charlie Bridges is a certified wildlife biologist who recently retired from a 25-year career with the NH Fish & Game Department, where he served as the Habitat and Wildlife Diversity Program administrator.Anticipating the outing, Bridges commented, “Our resident wildlife face challenges every winter – whether the winter weather is relatively easy or difficult. We will look for signs that indicate how they are doing this year.”The outing (snowshoe or otherwise) will be approximately 2 miles round trip of moderate effort, including some guided exploration by bushwhacking. The walk will also make use of the Carl Siemon Memorial Trail, developed as an Eagle Scout project by Corey Woods in 2012.Please pre-register for this free event, which will take place 10 am – 12:30 pm and is open to the public. For more information, directions, and to register, call MMRG Education Coordinator Kari Lygren at (603) 978-7125 or email info@mmrgnh.org.MMRG, a non-profit land trust, works to conserve and connect important water resources, farm and forest lands, wildlife habitats, and recreational land in Brookfield, Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Wakefield, and Wolfeboro. Throughout the year, MMRG offers many educational opportunities to inform all ages about the benefits of our region’s natural resources. For more information and a calendar of upcoming events, visit www.mmrgnh.org. Branch Hill Farm/the Carl Siemon Family Charitable Trust works to protect open space and working forests and to educate the public about sound forestry, conservation and agricultural practices; see www.branchillfarm.org.